It’s a Wrap | Jewish News

Tidewater Ruby Lions celebrate philanthropy, legacy, and sisterhood

Linda Ausch — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 16:38:55 +0000

On a beautiful September afternoon, just days before Rosh Hashanah, Tidewater’s Ruby Lions gathered at Jodi Klebanoff’s home for a luncheon celebrating friendship, philanthropy, and the impact of women’s leadership.

Alicia London Friedman, Women’s Philanthropy chair, welcomed the guests and thanked Jodi Klebanoff for hosting. She then shared the exciting news that Tidewater already has eight new Ruby Lions so far this year—and the campaign year is just beginning. This growing number of Rubies reflects not just the generosity and commitment of these women, but also their dedication to strengthening Jewish life locally, nationally, and around the world.

Friedman reminded the women that being a Ruby Lion ($10,000+ Federation giver) is much more than a giving level. It represents leadership and a belief in the future of Tidewater’s Jewish community. She reflected on the legacy “we leave for our daughters, grandchildren, and generations we may never know—the values we model and the traditions we pass down.”

“The women who came before us helped build the community we have today,” she shared. “We are now the link between those generations and the ones who will come after us.”

Ellen Rostov Hundley, Women’s Philanthropy vice chair, introduced the luncheon’s guest speaker, Sheila Katz, who recently joined the senior professional leadership at Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) after years of service elsewhere in the Jewish world (most recently at National Council of Jewish Women and before that at Hillel International). In describing her vision for her new role, – Chief Jewish Life Officer – Katz described the immense opportunities being created for Jewish communities across the country. She spoke with particular enthusiasm about a transformative new source of funding for Jewish education, Jewish institutions, and Jewish families, which is set to become available next year.

Jewish educational organizations are joining forces to help communities take full advantage of this opportunity, and if participation reaches the scale that organizers envision, thousands of tax-credit contributions could translate into substantial new funding for Jewish education nationwide, making it more accessible for families across the country.

Katz spoke about the importance of Jewish communities coming together, sharing resources, and thinking creatively – especially in the area of next generation engagement. Her message resonated with the Ruby Lions, whose philanthropy reflects a deep commitment to addressing many of these same issues in Jewish Tidewater.

As the luncheon drew to a close, Klebanoff thanked all for coming and recognized those who work behind the scenes to make these programs and initiatives possible, including the members of the Federation’s professional

team. In looking around the room at the various generations and multi-generations (moms and daughters) present, Klebanoff spoke about creating a lasting legacy. She turned toward her mother, Ann Copeland, and in that quiet moment, the meaning of her words became especially personal. Mother and daughter shared an emotional glance – both visibly moved. It was a beautiful, living example of L’Dor V’Dor and the passing of Jewish values, traditions, generosity, and commitment from one generation to the next.

In Tidewater’s remarkable Jewish community, a special bond of sisterhood – women who celebrate one another, support one another, and stand together in support of the community they love – clearly exists. Each woman brings her own story and legacy to this sisterhood, and together they are creating something even greater.

Leslie Siegel and Shaye Arluk.

Ellen Rostov Hundley, vice chair.

Annie Sandler pins Lion of Judah pin on her daughter, Dylan Sandler.

Sheila Katz (guest speaker), Betty Ann Levin (UJFT executive vice president/CEO), and Kristy Foleck.

Bonnie Brand and Ann Copeland.

Alicia London Friedman (Chair), Lynn Schoenbaum, Beth Jaffe, Laura Gross, and Jodi Klebanoff.

Women enjoy lunch on Jodi Klebanoff’s terrace.

Renee Strelitz, Shari Friedman, Judy Rosenblatt, and Shelly Simon.

Mona Flax, Alicia London Friedman, Kristy Foleck, Ellen Rostov Hundley, and Janet Mercadante.

Jodi Klebanoff and guest speaker Sheila Katz.

Ann Copeland, Marcia Moss, and Joan London.

One heart, many voices join for annual concert at Temple Emanuel

Pati Menda Oliszewski — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 16:09:08 +0000

A full house gathered at Temple Emanuel in Virginia Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 15, for the annual Cantors and Chazanim Concert, an evening that brought together cantors, rabbis, and musicians from congregations across the Tidewater Jewish community.

Now in its fourth year, the concert has become a meaningful local tradition, celebrating both the diversity of Jewish music and the strength of a community united through song. The program moved from beloved selections from the Israeli songbook to familiar liturgical melodies, concluding with a lively Yiddish medley that filled the sanctuary with warmth, energy, and joy.

A particularly tender moment came when eight-year-old Lia joined guest Chazan Alberto Mirchuk for a duet. Mirchuk, who traveled from Buenos Aires to participate in the concert for the fourth consecutive year, welcomed his young singing partner with generosity and warmth. Their performance offered a simple reminder of how Jewish music is lovingly passed from one generation to the next.

Presented by Temple Emanuel, the concert highlighted remarkable voices, some already familiar and others newly discovered by the audience. More than a musical performance alone, the evening reflected what is possible when Tidewater’s congregations come together—one community, many voices, and, fittingly, one heart.

SIA Golf Tournament scores a winning day

Carin Simon — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 15:29:24 +0000

For 38 years, golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and friends of Strelitz International Academy have come together for a day that is about much more than golf. This year, that tradition reached a new milestone.

The 38th Annual Bob Josephberg Classic & Strelitz International Academy Golf Tournament, held September 2 at Virginia Beach National Golf Club, raised a record $150,000 in support of SIA’s students, faculty, and programs.

As the school’s largest annual fundraiser, the tournament provides critical support that helps SIA continue to offer an exceptional education grounded in Jewish values while investing in the people and programs that make the school community thrive.

“Reaching $150,000 is an incredible accomplishment, but what makes this tournament so meaningful is the community behind it,” says Heather Moore, Head of School. “Year after year, our sponsors, golfers, and volunteers show us how deeply they believe in our school and in the importance of investing in Jewish education. Their generosity directly impacts the experience we are able to provide our students and faculty every day.”

The tournament has become a beloved SIA tradition, bringing together longtime supporters, local businesses, parents, alumni families, and friends of the school. While participants may arrive ready for a great day on the golf course, the event is ultimately about a shared commitment to ensuring a strong future for SIA and Jewish education in Tidewater.

This year’s tournament success was made possible through the leadership of Tim Thornton and Ross Bangel, tournament co-chairs, along with committee members Bill Carden, Chip Friedman, Sharon Grossman, Angela Jenkins, David Leon, Nina Kruger, Kasey Molloy, and Ian Persaud. Months of planning, sponsor outreach, and behind-the-scenes work culminated in a successful day both on and off the course.

The greatest measure of the tournament’s success, however, was not found on the leaderboard. It was found in a community coming together to support the next generation. For nearly four decades, the Bob Josephberg Classic has demonstrated the power of collective giving. Every sponsorship, registration, raffle donation, and volunteer hour contributes to SIA’s ability to provide students with an outstanding academic experience within a dynamic Jewish environment, one that nurtures their identities, encourages curiosity, and prepares them to become compassionate, engaged members of the Jewish community and the world.

Strelitz International Academy is deeply grateful to every sponsor, golfer, donor, and volunteer who made this year’s tournament possible and looks forward to continuing the tradition at the 39th Annual Bob Josephberg Classic.

Carin Simon is director of advancement at Strelitz International Academy.

Winning team: Ben Leon, Miles Leon, Matt Fine, and Wes Bourdon.

Volunteers Julie Keivit, Amy Gladstein, and Leigh Casson.

Ross Bangel and Tim Thornton, Tournament co-chairs.

Joan London, SIA board member, hands out lunches.

2nd Place team: David Cardon, Doug Hatfield, Bob Zuckerman, and Steve Zuckerman.

Lev Sara Bikkur Cholim Committee initiative

Avigayil Perry — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 15:21:34 +0000

More than 50 women gathered on the top floor of the Assembly building in downtown Norfolk for the Lev Sara Bikkur Cholim Inaugural Dinner in March. Lev Sara Bikkur Cholim is a committee founded by Shari Berman, Shana Danziger, Liba Eisenberg, Dee Slone, and Michal Stein. Attendees enjoyed a dairy dinner catered by Cater613 while listening to speakers share how the project began and highlight the importance of the mitzvah of bikkur cholim.

Shari Berman opened the program by explaining the “why” behind the project. Lev Sara is named in memory of her mother-in-law, Shirley Berman, whose Hebrew name was Sara. Berman described how her mother-in-law dedicated her life to chesed, to bikkur cholim. In addition to her work as a social worker, she volunteered with an organization that supports people with cancer. Berman said she “felt this project would be a meaningful way to honor Shirley’s memory.”

In introducing Elise Wolf, the keynote speaker, Michal Stein noted that Wolf’s connection to Norfolk spans many years. Born in Norfolk to Benn and Jackie Richels, she noted that the community continues to benefit from the hard work the Richels invested in Norfolk’s Jewish community. As the principal of Bais Yaakov of Baltimore, Wolf has played a significant role in educating thousands of young Jewish women, including Stein, who highlighted the love, care, and devotion Wolf shows her students during their time at the school and long after graduation.

Wolf began by saying that when she researched the topic of bikkur cholim, “it never occurred to me how nuanced and how varied this mitzvah is.” She broke the mitzvah down into three parts: what it is, where it appears in the Torah, and the benefits of performing it. The word bikkur, she explained, means to check on someone and ensure that their needs are met.

Wolf shared a couple of stories stressing the benefits of bikkur cholim.

First, she told a story from the Gemara about the great first-century sage, Rabbi Akiva. When one of his students was absent for a couple of days and his classmates had not seen him, Rabbi Akiva suspected he was ill, as he was typically diligent and dedicated. When Rabbi Akiva visited him, he found drawn window shades and the room dusty. He immediately opened the windows to let in fresh air, changed the bed linens, and spent a few minutes speaking with his student. The student said to his rebbe, “You have given me life.” Wolf emphasized this Gemara’s lesson: when we neglect the sick, we cause great harm, but when we care for them, we give life.

Another story was about Rabbi Aryeh Levin, a revered figure in Jerusalem who passed away in the 1960s. Rabbi Levin regularly visited hospital patients. One day, the mother of a sick child approached him in tears, explaining that she could not provide for her son and that no one was caring for him. Rabbi Levin promised to add the boy to his list of weekly visits. After several weeks, the child remarked, “They’re finally paying attention to me, checking if I need anything.” When Rabbi Levin thanked the hospital staff, they replied, “If he is important to you, he must be important to us.” Wolf emphasized that the takeaway from this story is that when hospital staff see others showing care and attention to a patient, they are more likely to do the same. She said she has witnessed this dynamic herself during the many hours she has spent in hospitals with families.

Liba Eisenberg introduced the final part of the program. “Now we have ‘the what,’ the importance of this mitzvah. (But) what makes the biggest difference is not in what but in how we do the mitzvah.” Participants at each table spent about 10 minutes discussing pre-distributed questions, including: What is helpful—and what is not? What does it mean to show up without extracting information? How do we want people to feel after interacting with us? Several themes emerged: It is often more helpful to offer something specific—“I make soup; can I bring you some at 1?”—rather than asking a broad question like, “What can I do to help?” which may put the burden on the person who is ill. Participants also noted the importance of respecting privacy and not pressing for details about someone’s condition. Instead, the focus should be on offering time and conversation. Genuine care should feel natural and unforced. Visits should not be rushed; rather than arriving with an eye on the clock, one should be present and make the interaction about the other person. Ultimately, listening was highlighted as one of the most meaningful ways to support someone going through a difficult time.

Before leaving, attendees completed cards indicating how they could get involved in the project, such as cooking and delivering meals, and visiting hospitals or senior living facilities. Although the committee was initiated by members of B’nai Israel, its mission extends to serving anyone in need within the greater Tidewater Jewish community.

To participate as a volunteer or recipient of services, email levsarabikkurcholim@gmail.com, call 757-559-1409, or go to https://www.bnaiisrael.org/lev-sara-bikur-cholim.html.

At 90, Holocaust Survivor Erica Ausch shows no signs of slowing down

Joel Rubin — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 15:19:25 +0000

For the past 13 summers, Erica Ausch has led hour-long water aerobics classes for fellow residents at the Oceans Condominiums on Atlantic Avenue. “Raise hands, bring them over your head, then down to your sides,” Ausch calls out. “Kick right side, arms out, then left, 10 times.”

“We call her ‘the world’s best teacher’,” says Evelyn Dowdy.

“She works your arms and legs, all your joints,” adds Dowdy’s sister Anne Holcombe. “As we get older, it’s what we need to do.”

For Ausch, it’s the latest chapter in a life that began in Kittsee, Austria, where in 1938 at age 2, her family hid out on a marooned barge on the Danube River with dozens of other Jews, relying on food from strangers to survive the coming Nazi invasion. “We were lucky,” she recalls. “We had relatives in Norfolk and were able to obtain affidavits to leave.”

Once here, “my father, who had run a tavern in Austria, took odd jobs at Hofheimer’s and Stein Furniture, before saving enough money to buy the Newport Delicatessen on 35th Street,” says Ausch.

He would change its name to his own, Reisner’s, and bring Ausch and her husband Eddie into the business, which became one of the first tenants in Janaf Shopping Center in 1964. “We sold a lot of sandwiches and wine until retiring in 1996,” she says.

Linda Ausch, one of their three daughters, took over and moved it to Great Neck Road before closing. Today it’s a Jimmy John’s.

Linda, who works in development part time for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater, lives with her mom at the Oceans (Eddie, Ausch’s soulmate for 60 years, died in 2013). “My mother’s amazing,” she says. “So healthy that her cardiologist recently said, ‘come back in a year instead of six months;’ maybe it’s because of her lifestyle.”

More than a summer goodbye

Blake Sisler — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:50:45 +0000

Families gathered at the Sandler Family Campus on Friday, August 21 for United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s and PJ Library’s annual End-of-Summer Shabbat.

The celebration was originally planned as a pool party, but unexpected weather required a change of plans. Rather than allowing the weather to interrupt the evening, the festivities moved indoors – a shift that did little to dampen the evening. What could have been a disappointment quickly became an energetic and welcoming gathering. The gym was filled with the sounds of children laughing and playing, families reconnecting, and friends catching up after a busy summer.

For many of the children, the evening was an extension of the relationships they built throughout the summer at Camp JCC, which is about more than the daily activities. Camp is a place where children develop friendships, gain confidence, discover new interests, and become part of a community. Seeing campers recognize one another, run to greet their friends, and immediately begin playing together was a wonderful reminder that those connections do not end when camp is over.

A special highlight of the evening was welcoming Tidewater’s newest Shinshinim, Liel Aisikowitz and Evyatar Olswang, who recently arrived from Israel. As they spend the coming year engaging with children, families, and community members, they will bring their Israeli experiences, perspectives, and energy to Tidewater. Their presence creates opportunities for children to form personal connections to Israel and provides an additional way for Tidewater to experience the richness of Jewish life beyond the local community.

To wrap up the evening, families gathered for Shabbat dinner. The transition from an active evening of play to a shared Shabbat meal created a moment to slow down and be present with one another. Rabbi Ari Oliszewski led the Shabbat blessings. The evening reflected the strong connections that unite Jewish Tidewater and the excitement of the coming year.

To learn more about upcoming family programs, visit JewishVA.org/PJLibrary.

Pati Oliszewski lights the candles with Rabbi Ari and Rabbi Israel Zoberman.

Liel Aisikowitz and Evyatar Olswang, Tidewater’s newest Shinshinim.

Noah Bowers plays basketball with younger brother, Bennett Bowers.

Mizrahi in Motion: Connecting through art, food, and movement

Haley Bartel — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:46:31 +0000

Two dozen or so women gathered to immerse themselves in Mizrahi culture on the evening of Sunday, August 23. The event was led by Jackie Dratch, creator of the Mizrahi Dance Archive, and organized by NextGen757, a community group for young Jewish adults ages 21 – 45.

“This is a women-focused event because there’s so many traditions of women doing exactly this, of gathering together, doing henna, and dancing,” Dratch says.
Held at a home in Virginia Beach, the evening kicked off with a helping of Mediterranean staples — falafel, schnitzel, salad, hummus, and Za’atar fries.

Then, Dratch sat everyone down for a brief presentation. She touched on the migration patterns of Mizrahi Jews, referring to them as ‘the Jews that never left the Middle East’ speaking about their spiritual, ritualistic uses of dance and henna.

Dratch grew up in Queens, N.Y. with her Israeli/Mizrahi family. She was also immersed in vibrant mixing pot of Jewish cultures from all parts of the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia. In her presentation, she shared tidbits from all the traditions she has witnessed, from the extravagant, lively weddings of Bukharian Jews to the upbeat dance traditions of Egyptian Jews.”

As Dratch says, “there’s not one way to be Jewish, not one way to look Jewish.” In America, she says, most Jews come from Ashkenazi backgrounds. “We just don’t see this part of Judaism as much. But when you go to Israel, it’s everywhere, like in the fabric of the whole culture.”

Next, participants painted wooden Hamsa door decorations while waiting to get henna done – chatting and sharing anecdotes of all kinds, from raising children to moving to new cities to their respective jobs.

Though many dance and henna traditions are reserved for the bride on her wedding day, Dratch says there are also plenty of examples of rituals being held just for the fun of it. Special women’s celebrations such as Chag Habanot, or festival of daughters, a North African women’s Hanukkah celebration, or Leil Purim, a Kurdish Jewish women’s gathering the night before Purim, have the same common thread: bringing generations of Jewish women together to sing, dance, adorn themselves with henna, and celebrate womanhood.

Growing up, Dratch’s best friends were three Jewish Egyptian sisters, and belly dance was a common activity.

“Their mom would just take out some hip scarves and start making us dance,” she recalls. Just two weeks before this event, she performed at one of the sisters’ weddings in Philadelphia – a full-circle moment, she says, that made it “very special to relive those memories, 30 years later.”

Once everyone was properly acquainted, the group gathered outside for a Mizrahi dance party just like the childhood Dratch described. Before dancing, everyone selected traditional scarves, dresses, and hats to adorn themselves with.

Dratch took the group on what she called “a little dance tour throughout the Jewish Middle East” – particularly Yemenite, Moroccan, and Bukharian dance. Participants learned two-steps, chest and hip isolations, and more as they danced to the lively music that boomed from the large speaker.

Dancing freely doesn’t come easily to everyone, but doing so in such a supportive group setting made it a lot easier. The backyard was full of joy and laughter that evening as participants joked about the potential noise disruption the event was creating.

Dratch believes that the physical, communal nature of the evening was the whole point. “It’s one thing to read about it or to watch a video, but to actually move your body… the whole point of it is just really to enjoy each other, to dance, to be together, to kind of let loose. That is where real connection and community is made.”

Women’s Rosh Chodesh Mizrahi Dance
Thursdays, October 15 and November 12, 7 – 8 pm
Simon Family JCC
Free. Registration required. Women only.

Painting Hamsa door decorations.

Jackie Dratch leads the dancing.

Getting hena done.

Havdalah on the beach

Stephanie Adler Calliot — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:39:59 +0000

It was another beautiful evening at the beach on Saturday, August 29, when 68 people (but who is counting) gathered in our backyard to celebrate Havdalah together.

Known for separating the Shabbat from the ordinary weekdays, Havdalah is a joyful service and a great reason to be together. There are many interpretations of the symbols used during the service: the cup of wine (grape juice) for a full cup of blessings for the coming week; sweet aromatic spices to refresh the soul; and a braided candle to blend light and darkness. All good reasons to make one stop, think, and be grateful.

Rabbi Ari, from Temple Emanuel, lead the group in singing and swaying and treated everyone to a beautiful blowing of the shofar.

And then, there was dessert, another sweet part of the evening. Friends – new and old, young and wise (see what I did there?) – shared this special night. A family from New York, considering a move to the area, also came, knowing not a soul. But when they left, they felt connected. They were thrilled with the welcoming spirit of our community.

We are a lucky bunch.

Stephanie Calliott, Don London, and Elisa Malkman.

David Leon, Betty Ann and Scott Levin.

Lauren Brand Zabazhinsky, Bonnie Brand, Judy Rosenblatt, and Cathy Eichelbaum.

JoAnn Macon, Sharon Leach, Ralph Soussan, and Clay Macon.

Rabbi Ari blows the shofar.

Marilyn Siegel, Nate Elkin, Ken Siegel, and Joyce Elkin.

Rabbi Ari Oliszewski and Larry Siegel.

Larry Weinstein, Stephanie Calliott, and Rabbi Ari Oliszewski from Temple Emanuel.

Camp JCC finishes a memorable season

Kate-Lynn Cipolla — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:18:37 +0000

“Unforgettable” is an appropriate way to describe Camp JCC’s 2026 summer. The season was packed with exciting field trips, spirited theme days, new campers, and an incredible staff team, including the additions of Christine Carnahan as camp manager, and Blake Sisler, United Jewish Federation of Tidewater’s coordinator of Youth and Family Engagement, as Camp JCC’s Teen Unit Head.

Camp JCC hosted its very first-ever Camp Gala during Week 7, followed by the camp’s much-anticipated annual lip-sync performance. Max Chapman, a veteran Counselor in Training (CIT), served as master of ceremonies for the lip sync and did an extraordinary job with his crowd work. In Week 4, a camp carnival was introduced, complete with cotton candy, face painting, and classic carnival games. The camp also hosted its first Apache Relay race in years, which turned out to be a massive success, with the red team clinching the Color War victory that exact same week. The second consecutive Watermelon Day featured a hilarious counselor-blindfolded obstacle course, endless watermelon treats, themed crafts, and a special appearance by Captain Melon. Jewish Tidewater’s Shinshinim led a meaningful Israel Day, and the summer season wrapped up with a camp-wide cookout featuring burgers, hot dogs, and plenty of refreshing pool time.

Teenagers took part in four Mitzvah projects throughout the summer, marking a historic first for the program. They traveled to Mutts with A Mission for a site beautification project, assisted Jewish Family Service by assembling birthday baskets for the local food pantry, learned all about air pollution and recycling at the Brock Environmental Center with Lynnhaven River Now, and wrapped up their community service by cleaning up litter across the Sandler Family Campus. The teens also enjoyed field trips to Norfolk Tides games, the Adventure Park, Croatan Beach, Owl Creek Landing, Ocean Breeze, and other local spots.

Camp JCC is ready to keep the excitement going as School Days Out programs quickly approach. Registration opens at the beginning of September for Veterans Day, Winter Break Camp, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, and Spring Break Camp.

To learn more about Camp JCC, contact Kate-Lynn Cipolla, director of Camp, at klcipolla@ujft.org or 757-321-2306.

Ben Tabakin, Wes Cohen, Bryson Johnson, and Ari Aviv are ready to fish.

Blake Sisler (unit head) and Julia Goncalves Silva on Israel Day.

Lily Wray and Anne-Marie Hiesel at the Carnival.

Nate Simon (counselor) throws powder for the Color Run.

Team Virginia Beach scores in Toronto

Tom Edwards — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 15:33:31 +0000

The JCC Maccabi Games and Access were held August 2-7 in two different host cities—Toronto and Kansas City. The Team Virginia Beach delegation went to the Games in Canada, joining more than 60 other delegations from nine countries.

Eight athletes represented TeamVB; five basketball players, two soccer players, and one Access athlete. Joining the Southside veterans of Shanny Zach (soccer), Oliver Scolnick (Access), and Leo Gottlieb and Ashten Konikoff (3v3 basketball) were four athletes from the Peninsula, Dylan Preston and Eli Green and Seth Green (3v3 basketball), and Mia Green (soccer).

Mia Green and Shanny Zach played on the same 17-and-under girls’ soccer team with players from Toronto, Tucson, and Vancouver, finishing in a tie for fifth place. The boys formed one team for the 17-and-under boys 3-on-3 basketball in which they went undefeated and won the gold medal. Coach Chris Queman led the Maccabi 3v3 team from Virginia Beach for the third time, and this is his first gold medal. Oliver Scolnick won six medals in a variety of sports, basketball, bowling, soccer, and swimming, while participating with more than 30 other athletes in the Access division that incorporates sports and activities for those with developmental hurdles.

Approximately 2,000 Jewish teenagers were in Toronto for the week, creating an unforgettable experience for every participant and volunteer.

Team Virginia Beach will go to the JCC Maccabi Games and Access in Austin, Texas in 2027. The team seeks Jewish teens, ages 13-17, who want to join in celebrating Jewish peoplehood, to meet new Jewish friends from around the globe, and to have the greatest week of their life.

Contact Tom Edwards for more information at 757-321-2308 or TEdwards@SimonFamilyJCC.org.

Tom Edwards is athletics director and delegation head for Team Virginia Beach at the JCC Maccabi Games & Access for the Simon Family JCC.

Shanny Zach battles for control against an opponent during an opening round game 2-1 victory.

Gold medal-winning basketball team of Ashten Konikoff, Eli Green, Coach Chris Queman, Leo Gottlieb, Dylan Preston, and Seth Green.

Shanny Zach and Mia Green.

Mia Green (back, 3rd from left) and Shanny Zach (front, center) had teammates from Tucson, Vancouver, and Toronto.